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- Edition: Henry VIII
Henry The Eighth (Folio 1, 1623)
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229
The Life of King Henry the Eight.
3019Kin. Body a me: where is it?
3020Butts. There my Lord:
3021The high promotion of his Grace of Canterbury,
3023Pages, and Foot-boyes.
3024Kin. Ha? 'Tis he indeed.
3025Is this the Honour they doe one another?
3026'Tis well there's one aboue 'em yet; I had thought
3029A man of his Place, and so neere our fauour
3031And at the dore too, like a Post with Packets:
3032By holy Mary (Butts) there's knauery;
3033Let 'em alone, and draw the Curtaine close:
3034We shall heare more anon.
3035A Councell Table brought in with Chayres and Stooles, and
3036placed vnder the State. Enter Lord Chancellour, places
3037himselfe at the vpper end of the Table, on the left hand: A
3038Seate being left void aboue him, as for Canterburies Seate.
3039Duke of Suffolke, Duke of Norfolke, Surrey, Lord Cham-
3040berlaine, Gardiner, seat themselues in Order on each side.
3041Cromwell at lower end, as Secretary.
3043Why are we met in Councell?
3045The chiefe cause concernes his Grace of Canterbury.
3046Gard. Ha's he had knowledge of it?
3047Crom. Yes.
3048Norf. Who waits there?
3049Keep. Without my Noble Lords?
3050Gard. Yes.
3052And ha's done halfe an houre to know your pleasures.
3053Chan. Let him come in.
3054Keep. Your Grace may enter now.
3055Cranmer approches the Councell Table.
3058That Chayre stand empty: But we all are men
3059In our owne natures fraile, and capable
3064The whole Realme, by your teaching & your Chaplaines
3065(For so we are inform'd) with new opinions,
3066Diuers and dangerous; which are Heresies;
3067And not reform'd, may proue pernicious.
3070Pace 'em not in their hands to make 'em gentle;
3075Farewell all Physicke: and what followes then?
3076Commotions, vprores, with a generall Taint
3077Of the whole State; as of late dayes our neighbours,
3078The vpper Germany can deerely witnesse:
3079Yet freshly pittied in our memories.
3081Both of my Life and Office, I haue labour'd,
3082And with no little study, that my teaching
3084Might goe one way, and safely; and the end
3085Was euer to doe well: nor is there liuing,
3088Both in his priuate Conscience, and his place,
3089Defacers of a publique peace then I doe:
3090Pray Heauen the King may neuer find a heart
3091With lesse Allegeance in it. Men that make
3092Enuy, and crooked malice, nourishment;
3095Be what they will, may stand forth face to face,
3096And freely vrge against me.
3097Suff. Nay, my Lord,
3098That cannot be; you are a Counsellor,
3099And by that vertue no man dare accuse you.
3102And our consent, for better tryall of you,
3103From hence you be committed to the Tower,
3104Where being but a priuate man againe,
3106More then (I feare) you are prouided for.
3108You are alwayes my good Friend, if your will passe,
3111'Tis my vndoing. Loue and meekenesse, Lord
3112Become a Churchman, better then Ambition:
3115Lay all the weight ye can vpon my patience,
3116I make as little doubt as you doe conscience,
3117In doing dayly wrongs. I could say more,
3118But reuerence to your calling, makes me modest.
3125For what they haue beene: 'tis a cruelty,
3126To load a falling man.
3127Gard. Good M. Secretary,
3128I cry your Honour mercie; you may worst
3130Crom. Why my Lord?
3131Gard. Doe not I know you for a Fauourer
3136Mens prayers then would seeke you, not their feares.
3138Crom. Doe.
3139Remember your bold life too.
3140Cham. This is too much;
3141Forbeare for shame my Lords.
3142Gard. I haue done.
3143Crom. And I.
3145I take it, by all voyces: That forthwith,
3146You be conuaid to th'Tower a Prisoner;
3147There to remaine till the Kings further pleasure
3148Be knowne vnto vs: are you all agreed Lords.
All.
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